Today (Thursday, Jan. 24) Alaska Airlines reported profits of $316 million in 2012. This
represents a 3rd consecutive year of record profits for the SeaTac-based company.

But meanwhile, poverty wages continue for the Sea-Tac baggage handlers, fuelers,
passenger service workers, and cabin cleaners who work for the contractors that help
make Alaska Airlines successful. Their reaction to today’s news of Alaska’s record profits:

"It’s appalling that my co-workers and I are paid minimum wage while Alaska Airlines
makes record profits. We’re part of Alaska’s success. We provide quality customer
services, every day of the year. Who can raise a family on $9.19 an hour? It’s time for
Alaska’s executives and shareholders to respect all the workers who have made their
company so profitable. It’s time for them to share in the success.”

“I am responsible for getting passenger bags out in 20 minutes to help Alaska Airlines
make their record profits. I'm proud to provide quality service to Alaska's customers
but my co-workers and I are paid poverty wages. While Alaska's executives are making
more money, at the same time I will make less because my holiday pay has just been
cut.”

Community leaders also weighed in on the news of Alaska’s record profits.

Jackie O’Ryan, Co-Director, Faith Action Network:

“With the gulf continuing to grow between the rich and the working poor, companies
face the moral challenge of sharing success. We’re waiting for the leaders of Alaska
Airlines to say they will share the success with all the workers who helped them win it.
It’s unfathomable that many of Alaska’s contract workers still earn poverty wages
while company leaders celebrate such monetary gains.”

The baggage handlers, fuelers, passenger service workers, and cabin cleaners are employed by contractors that are hired by Alaska Airlines. They are among the 2,800 airline- contracted workers at our airport who are paid poverty wages by area standards. These workers and their community allies are beginning to speak out and to call on Alaska and other airlines at Sea-Tac to make every airport job a good job.

Additionally, these workers also are speaking out about unsafe and illegal working
conditions at contractors of Alaska Airlines and other airlines. Last month, more than 50
workers filed complaints with the Washington State Department of Labor and Industries,
alleging widespread violations of workplace health and safety, and also wage theft. L&I is
investigating the allegations against the contractors, and also has expanded the
investigation to include Alaska Airlines itself.

Working Washington, a Washington based non-profit coalition of individuals, neighborhoodassociations, immigrant groups, civil rights organizations, people of faith, and labor united forgood jobs and a fair economy.

About Working Washington: Our mission is to build a powerful workers’ movement that can not only dramatically improve wages and working conditions, but can also change the local and national conversation about wealth, inequality, and the value of work. More info…

Our mission is to build a powerful workers’ movement that can not only dramatically improve wages and working conditions, but can also change the local and national conversation about wealth, inequality, and the value of work.

Working Washington fast food strikers sparked the fight that won Seattle's landmark $15 minimum wage. We drove Amazon to sever ties with right-wing lobby group ALEC and improve conditions in their sweatshop warehouses. And we helped lead the winning campaign in SeaTac for a $15 living wage.